Q. I am a young filmmaker trying to get a more proffessional look. I stumbled across a JVC GY-HM150U. I was wondering if it would be a good choice for me. I am looking for a somewhat cinematic look, the color correction will be done in after effects. Currently I use a canon vixia hf m40.
Thanks!!!
Thanks!!!
Answer
Hi there,
This really depends on what sort of filmmaking you'll be doing. The JVC camera you mentioned is very good for low budget television and documentary making, but not so great for shooting in the style of hollywood. It is, admittedly, a big step up from the Canon you are currently using, but not necessarily in the right direction.
These things are a matter of opinion. One filmmaker might think that a specific camera is very good, while another may say that it is terrible. I can only offer you personal opinion and preferences. What I say will not be fact, so do not treat it like it. It may be worth you doing a little research of your own into what other filmmakers think.
My thoughts are basically that the JVC does not give you enough space to be creative. It is a bog standard camcorder, with simple standard settings. The camera is the most important tool when shooting a film, and it needs to be versatile and dynamic. The JVC is set up so that you can pop it on a tripod, hit record and then stop when you take is over. Although it does have limited manual controls, it is aimed at a market who want to be able to leave it on auto mode and hope for the best. Because it is aimed at that market, that is what it is best at. The lack of input it allows the cameraman to give means that the image it produces has little depth. Everything is very 'flat', and by that I mean that no colours appear to jump out, the image does not feel like it welcomes the viewer and in general things look quite dull. As it was meant for use in the TV industry, it also has quite a small sensor so the image it makes isn't very sharp. The fact it utilises a zoom lens which you cannot take off also means that the image will not be as clear, and the camera will not perform quite so well in low light.
I personally feel you would be better of with something like the Canon 5D. Although it is meant for photographs, it is very goos as a film camera. It has a very large sensor, so the image is incredibly sharp, and the lens is detachable, so you can choose an appropriate lens for your shot. You could even invest in a good set of prime lenses (sharper and better in low light). The 5D really allows you all the space to properly set up a really attractive shot. Unlike a camera from TV, it will not do all the work for you. You'll be forced to put in all the thought and effort that makes images look really creative and heartfelt. You films will be more like art than just someone pointing a camera at some action. It is also more the style of cameras that the folks in hollywood use, so if you learn the basics with one of these then you won't need to when you get a good job on a film set.
I think your best bet is to go onto youtube and search for some test footage on both of the cameras, and maybe some others. This will allow you to get the feel how what the images look like. If you have access, rent the cameras for a weekend, and have a play with them both to see which one your prefer to use. The one that feels comfortable and makes a good looking film is the one that is right for you.
I wish you all the best in your filmmaking adventures, and if you need anything else, pop me an email. There are a few little filming tutorials on my youtube channel that may interest you (www.youtube.com/munnbrice), so feel free to check them out some time.
Regards,
Brice
Hi there,
This really depends on what sort of filmmaking you'll be doing. The JVC camera you mentioned is very good for low budget television and documentary making, but not so great for shooting in the style of hollywood. It is, admittedly, a big step up from the Canon you are currently using, but not necessarily in the right direction.
These things are a matter of opinion. One filmmaker might think that a specific camera is very good, while another may say that it is terrible. I can only offer you personal opinion and preferences. What I say will not be fact, so do not treat it like it. It may be worth you doing a little research of your own into what other filmmakers think.
My thoughts are basically that the JVC does not give you enough space to be creative. It is a bog standard camcorder, with simple standard settings. The camera is the most important tool when shooting a film, and it needs to be versatile and dynamic. The JVC is set up so that you can pop it on a tripod, hit record and then stop when you take is over. Although it does have limited manual controls, it is aimed at a market who want to be able to leave it on auto mode and hope for the best. Because it is aimed at that market, that is what it is best at. The lack of input it allows the cameraman to give means that the image it produces has little depth. Everything is very 'flat', and by that I mean that no colours appear to jump out, the image does not feel like it welcomes the viewer and in general things look quite dull. As it was meant for use in the TV industry, it also has quite a small sensor so the image it makes isn't very sharp. The fact it utilises a zoom lens which you cannot take off also means that the image will not be as clear, and the camera will not perform quite so well in low light.
I personally feel you would be better of with something like the Canon 5D. Although it is meant for photographs, it is very goos as a film camera. It has a very large sensor, so the image is incredibly sharp, and the lens is detachable, so you can choose an appropriate lens for your shot. You could even invest in a good set of prime lenses (sharper and better in low light). The 5D really allows you all the space to properly set up a really attractive shot. Unlike a camera from TV, it will not do all the work for you. You'll be forced to put in all the thought and effort that makes images look really creative and heartfelt. You films will be more like art than just someone pointing a camera at some action. It is also more the style of cameras that the folks in hollywood use, so if you learn the basics with one of these then you won't need to when you get a good job on a film set.
I think your best bet is to go onto youtube and search for some test footage on both of the cameras, and maybe some others. This will allow you to get the feel how what the images look like. If you have access, rent the cameras for a weekend, and have a play with them both to see which one your prefer to use. The one that feels comfortable and makes a good looking film is the one that is right for you.
I wish you all the best in your filmmaking adventures, and if you need anything else, pop me an email. There are a few little filming tutorials on my youtube channel that may interest you (www.youtube.com/munnbrice), so feel free to check them out some time.
Regards,
Brice
Best camcorder or device for filmmaking?
Q. I need to know the best equipment to produce hi-quality short films, music videos, documentaries, promos and mini movies.
I recently shot this promo video. Using a Nikon point and shot HD Digital Camera. This was my first ever real project that I worked on. Very armature and rough editing. On a free video editor. Here is the link. http://youtu.be/sbbEM6FZBgM
I'd like to really like to go further into the filmmaking world. I'm getting a brand new MacBook to work on and it comes with iMovie but I may pick up more professional editing software in the future but as for now I need some much better equipment to really get into producing some great films.
Budget wise not really a huge budget but I'd like to pick up everything I need for about 3500 on everything.
Hi end or top of the line amateur or intermediate camera/camcorder/dslr
Quality microphone
Lighting kits
Green screen
Lenses
And anything else I may need. Please and thank you.
Also you don't have to give descriptions on pros and cons I can do the research my self, I'd just like a list of the top 4 or 5 models and ill take it from there. Thanks
I recently shot this promo video. Using a Nikon point and shot HD Digital Camera. This was my first ever real project that I worked on. Very armature and rough editing. On a free video editor. Here is the link. http://youtu.be/sbbEM6FZBgM
I'd like to really like to go further into the filmmaking world. I'm getting a brand new MacBook to work on and it comes with iMovie but I may pick up more professional editing software in the future but as for now I need some much better equipment to really get into producing some great films.
Budget wise not really a huge budget but I'd like to pick up everything I need for about 3500 on everything.
Hi end or top of the line amateur or intermediate camera/camcorder/dslr
Quality microphone
Lighting kits
Green screen
Lenses
And anything else I may need. Please and thank you.
Also you don't have to give descriptions on pros and cons I can do the research my self, I'd just like a list of the top 4 or 5 models and ill take it from there. Thanks
Answer
I herd Canon HV30 is a really good camera for film making , is has 24p Cinema Mode; 30p
Progressive Mode, Media Type: HDV easier for editing , and affordable, they have a newer model hv40 but i still would go with the hv30,
Hope this helps
I herd Canon HV30 is a really good camera for film making , is has 24p Cinema Mode; 30p
Progressive Mode, Media Type: HDV easier for editing , and affordable, they have a newer model hv40 but i still would go with the hv30,
Hope this helps
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